A quick trip around the league, as training camps open for all 30 NBA teams:
Golden State: Warriors camp is off to a rousing start, with Stephen Jackson repeating his demand for a trade, and Monta Ellis telling reporters that he can't play with rookie Stephen Curry. (For what it's worth, I don't really think an Ellis/Curry backcourt makes a ton of sense either... but if I was a member of the team, I'd probably keep that opinion to myself.) One of the biggest feel-good stories in the league just a couple of seasons ago, the Warriors seem to be in open revolt against coach Don Nelson. This could get ugly.
New York: The Knicks opened training camp with Chris Duhon, Wilson Chandler, Danilo Gallinari, David Lee and Al Harrington wearing "starter" jerseys for their first two workouts. It's very early, but it seems Mike D'Antoni is considering using Chandler as an oversized two guard, which raises questions about how he'll use Larry Hughes. That's a position battle worth watching for fantasy owners, as every regular in D'Antoni's rotation will be worth drafting in most formats.
Also notable at Knicks camp: the presence of "World Wide Wes." William Wesley -- one of the most powerful figures in basketball and a close confidante of LeBron James -- was on hand at Skidmore College in Saratoga as the Knicks opened camp. Knicks president Donnie Walsh asked Wesley to oversee Eddy Curry's training program this summer. Apparently that paid dividends, as Curry reported to camp in the best shape of his Knicks career. But Walsh almost certainly had an ulterior motive... getting close to World Wide Wes certainly won't hurt when the Knicks are bidding on free agents next summer.
Utah: Another position battle fantasy players will want to watch -- the competition for Utah's power forward spot. When Carlos Boozer decided to play out his contract in Salt Lake, the obvious assumption was that he'd be the starter and Paul Millsap would come off the bench. Obvious, but not necessarily correct -- Utah coach Jerry Sloan told reporters he hasn't decided who he'll start at the four spot.
There's a pretty good case to be made for Millsap. Boozer has one foot out the door; his contract expires after the season and is a prime candidate to be traded before the February deadline. Millsap, on the other hand, just signed a four-year deal. If Millsap is the future at the position, why not integrate him into the starting five now?
San Antonio: Tim Duncan lost 15 pounds over the summer, thanks to a lot of low-impact exercise in the pool. Makes sense -- Timmy was actually a competitive swimmer before taking up basketball full-time. The lost weight should help reduce strain on his knees, which will hopefully keep him healthier this season.
Duncan's health is a major priority for the Spurs, for obvious reasons. Gregg Popovic is on record as saying he wants to limit Duncan to an average of around 32 minutes per game this year -- which would be a career-low. But with excellent depth in the frontcourt -- the Spurs added Richard Jefferson, Antonio McDyess, Theo Ratliff and rookie DeJuan Blair to to the mix over the summer -- Pop should be able to ration Duncan's playing time without hurting the team's record. Fantasy players should be wary of Duncan this season.
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